November:
- November 1 All Saints Sunday. We will remember those who have passed away since last All Saints Sunday.
- November 1 Adult Sunday school begins. Meet in the Conference Room after worship.
- November 29 Advent begins
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Office Hours (suspended during this time of social distancing) are listed at the bottom of each Messenger issue.
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Transitional Interim Minister Search Committee
The Transitional Interim Minister Search Committee met earlier in October with our Regional Minister, Rev. Teresa Dulyea-Parker. The committee learned the necessary steps to complete prior to performing interviews and moving the process along. Some of those items are refreshing the job description and reviewing compensation.
The committee met last week, October 20, to begin updating the job description. We are making great progress and hope to conduct interviews in December.
Blessings,
Joe Bandy
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FCC Ministry Priorities and News
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Property Use – Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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The Boys & Girls Club is using our building for their after school program. |
Spiritual Growth/
Small Groups
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Small Groups — Build on what we’ve learned and do more of these
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Brown Bag Bible Bunch This weekly study group meets on Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at FCC. Bring your mask and Bible, and a lunch if you wish. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. All are welcome!
Small Groups Small groups continue to offer us another way to connect with one another. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Bill Robitske at bill.robitske.jr@gmail.com.
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Reach Out/Meet the Neighbors |
Meet the Neighbors — Beginning with existing relationships, take a deeper dive into who God has given us to love in this area – and how our lives might intersect
Bent School Donations Please remember to drop off your items for Bent School if you attend in person church in the bin by the elevator on the parking lot level. Items needed are hand sanitizer, sweat pants of all sizes, boys’ and girls’ underwear of all sizes, and sanitizing wipes.
Seniors We will be putting together a smaller version of the red bags for seniors for Christmas. We will be collecting: small bottles of hand sanitizer, tissues, throat lozenges, stamps, Christmas cards for seniors to send, and also ones that are written to them. An Advent devotional will be included. Many live in assisted living and don’t have much space, but small decorative items are good. Also, we will need medium gift bags for the items. Please contact Julie Robinson at jerobinson@21409@yahoo.com or 309-838-4335 with questions or suggestions.
Regional Alternative School Donations Please bring winter weather clothing items such as grey or black zip-up hoodies, gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and Chapstick. Sizes adult small through 3XL are needed.
Thanks for all you are continuing to do for our members and neighbors during this unprecedented time in our world. God is still in control!
Julie Robinson
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A Note of Thanks
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
First Christian Church is indeed awesome!
THANKS to everyone who attended my farewell drive-by on Saturday, October 10th. It was wonderful to see so many and be able to visit with each car‘s occupants for a few minutes. It was a beautiful fall day, so uplifting for me and for that I am deeply grateful.
Thank You for all the cards, gifts and even phone calls from some who were unable to come by. I appreciate those who organized the event and those who made things run smoothly.
As I move into a new chapter in my life in St. Charles, I will certainly miss the FCC family. You have been especially loving and supportive of me and my family the past several weeks. But that is how you have always been the past 26 years for me.
Your encouragement as I served this church in several different ways over those years was my inspiration and guiding star. I pray God will continue to richly bless this community of faith as church reopens and activities resume under a “new normal.”
Many Blessings to All,
Beverly Leight
P.S. I will provide Maggie at the church office with my new address, so please call or email her for that information.
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Disciples Women’s Ministries News
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Thank you to all who donated this year. Both Walmart stores gave us generous gift cards again this year so we could purchase items for our Operation Santa campaign. Your help, as always, is greatly appreciated by DWM, Operation Santa, and our Military. |
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Red Cross Blood Drive
A Blood Drive was held October 20 at the YMCA gym. A BIG thanks to all who signed up and donated. FCC sponsored the drive, but due to the COVID issue it was held at the YMCA. A very big thanks goes to Pete Whitmer, who called donors from previous drives, and to Maggie Burton, who signed donors up via phone or email from home. The Red Cross was in dire need of donors and appreciated all who donated.
Wholistic Health Councill
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All Saints Honorees
On November 1 we are honoring those we have lost in the past year, since the 2019 All Saints Sunday
Jack Snyder 10/31/2019
Gillian Rongey 11/27/2019
Gerada Sperry 12/23/2019
Harold Goyen, Jr. 01/12/2020
Myra Komnick 01/20/2020
Arthur Gregg 02/13/2020
Carol Kline 03/25/2020
Daniel Sperry 04/11/2020
Loren Neil Sallee 05/20/2020
Debra Schmidt 05/21/2020
Connie Lindenbaum 05/31/2020
Albert Leight 07/26/2020
Robert Braun 07/28/2020
Thomas Rousey 08/18/2020
Gene Fowler 08/27/2020
Corena Meyer 09/24/2020
Roger Boitnott 09/25/2020
Marlyn Mahannah 0/04/2020
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Legacy Circle
Members
David Bradbury
Alan and Kathie Chapman
Maxine Drexler*
Mary Helen Haskell
May Jackson
Ralph and Linda Lehmann
Don and Luella Mahannah
Mary Lou Mercier
Neil* and Dorothy Sallee
Martin Sallee
Deborah Stumm
John Trefzger
Rebecca White
Peter Whitmer
Tyer Whitmer
Shirley Wotherspoon
*deceased
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Worship at FCC Has Resumed
We will continue to live stream Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook and on our website, broadcasting the service as it takes place in the sanctuary. On our website, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and see that the current or most recent broadcast is toward the top of the selections there. You can also watch older broadcasts. If you use Facebook, just go to our Facebook Page and see the broadcast start a few minutes before 9:00 a.m.
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FCC Swag!
T-Shirts Are a Great Christmas Gift for Spouses, Kiddos, or Grandchildren!
FCC t-shirts have been designed and you can order yours now! There are three styles: adult, youth, and FCC kids. Click Here to see details and order on our website.
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Red FCC grocery bags are available for purchase for $5 for your use and for ministry projects. Contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org to purchase a bag. |
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Serving Schedule
We publish serving schedules in the Friday Email/FCC Connected.
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
Now that we are back to in-person worship, we could use volunteers! We typically have a three-person crew: a person who runs the computer PowerPoint presentation, another who works the sound board, and a third (and sometimes fourth) working the cameras. Interested? Contact Brian Metz at medzy65@gmail.com or James Nussbaum at masterbimmertech@gmail.com.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor: James Warren
Minister Emeritus: John Trefzger
Dir. Music & Youth Ministries:
Holly Irvin
Organ/Piano: Lou Ann Fillingham
One and All Music Coordinator:
Bill West
Communications Coordinator:
Jenifer Petri
Office Receptionist: Maggie Burton
Financial Secretary:
Deborah Stumm
Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan
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Witness of the Faithful
October 4: $10,564.54
October 11: $7,278.70
October 18: $4,695.70
October 25: $7,482.70
Prayer Concerns
Carle BroMenn: Mary Lou Mercier
Treatment:
- Donnie Engel
- Jim Frizzell
Aftercare:
- Gunner Cox
- Eddie Dill
- Susan Hinrichsen
- Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. Rehab)
- Connie Rapp
- Susan Sanders
- Chuck Smalley (home healthcare)
- Mary Smart
- Hunter Trefzger
Hospice: Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Sympathy to:
- Don (Luella) Mahannah and family on the October 4 death of his mother, Maryln Mahannah
- John Trefzger, Bob (Connie) Trefzger, Nancy Trefzger, and family on the October 5 death of their sister-in-law/aunt, Gladys Trefzger
- Jim (Carolyn) Hepperly on the October 11 death of their son, Doug Whitwood
Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder: Please let the church office know if there’s someone who needs a call or is in the hospital. Email office@blmfcc.org.
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger (mailed last Wednesday of the month with some exceptions)
Deadline Friday at noon before mailing date as a general rule (verify with church calendar on FCC website or in previous issue of The Messenger)
Upcoming Messengers:
- November 20 deadline for November 25 mailing
- December 24 deadline for December 30 mailing
Beyond the Bricks (mailed two weeks after the Messenger, on Wednesday)
Deadline Sunday the week of mailing
FCC Connected/Friday Email
Deadline Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Deadline Thursday noon, unless it is an emergent prayer concern
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Office Phone 309 829-9327 Fax 309 829-2865
Address 401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Hours The office is currently closed every day out of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff members are working from home as needed. Normally, the office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is there, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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